ROBERT FIRTH DIARY
Jan 1 1865 (age 36)
Transcribed by Boyd Pratt
January
1 Sundy rather quiet wether every thing quiet
2 Mo fine wether working in the barn Dick out at the sheepery [?]
3 Tu Raining very hard all day working in the barn Dick came home and brought dear with him
4 We Blowing very hard all day mee an Dick haling fire wood
5 Th fine wether mee and Dick thrasing
6 Fr rather dull wether still thrashing
7 Sa fine wether I went to peterÕs[1] after an ox yoke Dick[2] usefully employed
8 Sundy Dull wether every thing quiet
9 Mo fine wether ploughing in the garden
10 Tu Dull wether and cold Comensed to plough in the little field[3]
11 We fine wether plowing
12 Th fine wether plowing
13 Fr fine wether went to the went to the Sheep Station[4] Dick halling fire wood
14 Sa fine wether plowing
15 Su fine wether every thing quiet Dick went to the Sheep Station with a fortnight provishons to the sheeperd
16 Mo raning hard all day working about the house
17 Tu fine wether went to the to the new station[5] after some pigs
18 We cold rain and sleet threshing
19 Th fine wether ploughing
20 Fri fine wether ploughing
21 Sa fine wether frosty bought my cart home took down my pigs from the quarters and lock[?] home a lod of wood
22 Su fine hard frost went to the Chandler prary[6] after the pebly mair
23 Mu fine hard frost Dick went to the sheep station I went to hobes[7] and sold the white horse
24 Tu fine hard frost halling wood
25 We fine hard frost halling wood
26 Th fine hard frost haling wood heavy snow all night
27 Fr raining hard all day threshing
28 Sa raining in the fornoon afternoon fine went to Hobs after a calf
29 Su driziling rain all day
30 Mu fine wether working in the barn
Tu Blowing very hard all day down town paying the indian woman
1 We
fine wether avode about four unches of snow upon the ground went to the
Consu[?]
2
Th fine frost and snow working about hay stack[?]
3
Fr fine still frost and snow
February
1 We still blowing filling potatoes for MCy[?][8]
2 Th fine above with plenty of snow went to the Qanakas[9]
3 Fr frost and snow working about the sha[?]
4 Sa frost and snow threshing
5 Su hard frost went to the sheep station with Dick to be shephard
6 Mo still frosty thrashing
7 Tu still frosty went to the new station to seperate the sheep stayed all night
8 We still frosty came home and finished the day amongst the sheep
9 Th fine wether at plough
10
Fr fine wether at plough with Capten wolfs[10]
boy little man went to the station
11 Sa fine wether at plough in the fore noon filling up and sending down Fletts[11] potatoes little man[12] went to the sheep station with rations to Dick
12 Su Fine wether all quiet
13 Mo raining and bowing very hard working in the barn
14 Tu blowing very hard threshing
15 We blowing very hard threshing
16 Th blowing very hard threshing
17 Fr blowing very hard threshing
18 Sa fine wether plowing in the fore noon halling wood in the afternoon
19 Su fine wether went to towen[13] with the cart for a barel of fish
20 Mu fine wether went to the new station with little man as sheperd
21 Tu fine wether did nothing
22 We fine wether working in potatoes
23 Th blowing cold finished plough in the little field
24 Fr fine wether comensed plough in the big field
25 Sa fine wether plough in the fornon Dick went to the new station with provishons to the sheepard
26 Su blowing very cold me and Dick went to the Chandler for cows
27 Mu blowing hard with snow showers taking in potatoes Dick halling wood
28 Tu Snow with very hard frost
March
1 We very cold frost and snow threshing
2 Th very cold frost and snow with high wind halling wood for Barker[14]
3 Fr rather milder comensed to thaw working about[?]
4 Sa High wind with havy showers of slet halling wood Dick went to the sheep station
5 Su high wind heavy dashes of sleet and rain
6 Mu heavy snow and frost halling wood for Barker
7 Tu snowing and blowing very hard cleaning oats
8 We hard frost and snow cleaning oats
9 Th slet and snow all day went to hobes point[15] to look for a cow no good
10 Fr sleet and rain Dick found the cow and calf I went to new station in the afternoon stoped all night
11 Sa high winds with showers of rain I went to the lime kill[16] found a sheep killed by dogs
12 Su dry winds found Dick dead on the praire
13 Mu fine wether buried Dick one of my cows died
14 Tu high winds with heavy showers of rain halled down the cow and and skinned her
15 We drisling rain went to peters for straw
16 Th dry wind halling wood
17 Fr fine wether plowing st pathricÕs day
18 Sa high winds with dashes of showers
19 Su fine wether every thing quiet
20 Mu cold wins plowing
21 Tu high winds with havy dashes of snow plowing
22 We cold wind halling dung to Mr Mrc[?]
23 Th drisling rain all day halling dung
24 Fr fine wether
25 Sa fine wether plowing to Mr Mercer[17]
26 Su fine wether every thing quiet
27 Mu fine wether plowing to Mr Mercer
28 Tu fine wether took fridy cow out of the mire in the fore plow in the after non
29 We fine wether plow in the fore non put in some potatoes for Mr Mercer in the afternon
30 Th fine wether plough all day
31 Fr fine wether at plough got a lod of straw
April
1 Sa blowing very hard halling wood to Barker in the fore noon went to the sheep station in the afternoon
2 Su fine wether came home from the station[?]
3 Mu fine wether at plough all day
4 Tu fine wether at plough
5 We fine wether sowing oats in the litle field
6 Th fine wether finished sowing the litle field
7 Fr fine at harrow in the litle field
8 Sa fine wether planting potatoes
9 Su fine wether went to the newstation
10 Mu fine wether plowing at the newstation
11 Tu fine wether planting potatos at the station
12 We fine wether finished at the newstation
13 Th fine wether went to John W[18] after feed
14 Fr fine wether washing my old oxen
15 Sa fine wether planting potatoes
16 Su fine wether every thing quiet
17 Mu very high winds working about the house
18 Tu very
high winds thinking to go to victoria
19 We fine wether went to victoria
20 Th in victoria
21 Fr fine wether came home from victoria
22 Sa fine wether taking up my thing from town
23 Su blowing hard Sent out a months flower to little man
24 Mu fine wether sowing pees
25 Tu fine wether repairing fainsing
26 We fine wether sowing oats
27 Th fine wether sowing oats an repairing fainsing
28 Fr raining all day
29 Th fine wether helping Capten Wolf to alter his lambs went to the newstation afternoon
30 Su fine wether at the newstation altering lambs
May
1 Mu fine wether finished harrowing the lar[g?]e field
2 Tu fine wether could not find my oxen
3 We fine wether plowing in the large field
4 Th fine wether planting potatoes
5 Fr very warm planting potatoes
6 Sa very warm finished planting potatoes
7 Su very warm took a walk to town
8 Mu fine wether sowing carots
9 Tu very warm harowing potatoes and sowing turnips
10 We fine wether plowing in the litle field for turnips
11 Th fine wether sowing turnips
12 Fr fine wether plowing in the large field
13 Sa fine wether plowing
14 Su fine wether went to town with the slade[?]
15 Mu fine wether working about the house
16 Tu drisling rain all day helping Capten Wolf to turn over his sheep to Mr Bowker[19]
17 We fine wether at plough
18 Th fine wether sowing oats
19 Fr fine wether finished harow and roll
20 Sa fine wether working at the sheep wash
21 Su fine wether came home from the station and shiped 10 sheep for victoria
22 Mu fine wether taking licknesses[?] and working in the garding
23 Tu fine wether working at the sheep wash
24 We blowing hard working in the garding[?]
25 Th fine wether planting cabage
26 Fr fine wether repairing fansing
27 Sa fine wether hunting horses
28 Su fine wether every thing quiet
29 Mu fine wether sent ten weders to Victoria
30 Tu fine wether washing sheep
31 We fine wether howing potatoes
June
1 Th fine wether fixing the barn for shearing
2 Fr fine wether comensed shearing sheep
3 Sa fine wether shearing
4 Su fine wether looking after the sheep
5 Mu raining a litle went to the electon
6 Tu fine wether shearing sheep
7 We fine wether shearring sheep
8 Th fine wether finished the sheep
9 Fr fine wether howing potatoes
10 Sa fine wether went out with the sheep
11 Su a litle rain went out with barker sheep
12 Mu fine wether went to town with the slade
13 Tu fine weather working in the garding
14 We raining in the morning plowing potatoes
15 Th fine wether howing potatoes
16 Fr fine wether working in the garding
17 Sa fine wether halled one load of bark and fixed my cart
18 Su a litle rain at noon went to the country with the cart
19 Mu fine wether halling bark
20 Tu fine wether halling bark
21 We fine wether halling bark
22 Th fine wether haling rails
23 Fr fine wether went to the country with my old oxen
24 Sa fine wether working about the ho[use?]
25 Su fine wether every thing quiet
26 Mu fine wether fixing a cow[?] pend[?]
27 Tu fine wether sent of some pigs
28 We fine wether howing potatoes
29 Th fine wether howing potatoes
30 Fr fine wether working about the house
July
1 Sa fine wether went to the scool meeting from thair to the sheep station all night
2 Su fine wether came home from the station
3 Mu fine wethe working about the house
4 Tu fine wether some sport to day
5 We fine wether very litle work done
6 Th fine wether hunting rams
7 Fr fine wether went to the cuntry with Miss Fleming[20] from thair to the station
8 Sa fine wether howing potatoes
9 Su fine wether went to peters a litle rain night
10 Mu fine wether working about the house
11 Tu fine wether ploughing potatoes
12 We fine wether working at the scool
13 Th fine wether working at the scool
14 Fr fine wether out in the cuntry with oxen
15 Sa fine wether out at the new station with sheep thunder and lightning in the evening with rain
16 Su raining hard all day
17 Mu fine wether comensed to cut oats in litle field
18 Tu fine wether cuting oats
19 We fine wether cuting oats
20 Th fine wether cuting in the large field
21 Fr fine wether cuting hay
22 Sa fine wether sacking up my oats
Su fine
wether
23 Su raning in the morning
24 Mu fine wether cuting oats at the station
25 Tu fine wether racking hay
26 We fine wether cuting hay
27 Th fine wether cuting hay half a day
28 Fr fine wether racking hay
29 Sa fine wether at the new station racking oats took home spring[21] with a calf
30 Su fine wether packing woll
31 Mu fine wether cutting hay
August
1 Tu fine wether carting hay
2 We fine wether finished cuting
3 Th fine wether racking hay
4 Fr fine wether tacking in the mairs
5 Sa fine wether tacking in the mairs
6 Su fine wether toock in the last of the mairs
7 Mu fine wether working about the house
8 Tu fine wether shiped the mairs
9 We fine wether out with Bowker
10 Th fine wether working in the hay
11 Fr fine wether halling hay
12 Sa fine wether halling hay
13 Su fine wether went to town with the slade
14 Mu fine wether halling hay
15 Tu fine wether finished halling hay
16 We fine wether went to the new station with the cart
17 Th fine wether finished at the station
18 Fr fine wether looking after my rams
19 Sa fine wether went to the station with a month provishons to the sheperd
20 Su fine wether went to captain thorenton[?][22]
21 Mu fine wether waiting for captain thorenton all day Sent my pigs of in the evening
22 Tu rather damp
23 We rather wet
24 Th fine wether binding oats to freser[23]
25 Fr fine wether cuting peas
26 Sa fine wether cuting peas
27 Su blowing very hard took a walk to town in the evening
28 Mu fine wether cuting peas
29 Tu fine wether finished the peas
30 We fine wether cuting oats
31 Th fine wether cuting oats
September
1 Fr rather damp working in the peas Spring went away
2 Sa fine wether house keeper
3 Su fine wether went to the new station
4 Mu fine wether took in my lambs
5 Tu wet wether
6 We fine wether turning and halling peas
7 Th fine wether sorting my sheep
8 Fr fine wether finished halling peas and racked some oats
9 Sa raining went to the new station
10 Su fine wether took a walk to town
11 Mu wet wether blowing very hard at night
12 Tu rather damp cutting a litle oats
13 We raining working about the house
14 Th raining working about the house
15 Fr rather damp went to town afternoon [?]
16 Sa fine wether went to the new Station with a months provishon to shepd
17 Su fine wether came home from the station
18 Mu fine wether racking oats
19 Tu fine wether racking oats
20 We raining Mary Jane came acroos
21 Th fine wether turning my oats
22 Fr fine wether taking in my oats
23 Sa dull wether went to Mr fraser rain in the after noon
24 Su fine wether every thing quiet
25 Mu damp full wether
26 Tu fine wether working about the house
27 We fine wether cuting oats
28 Th fine wether working about
29 Fr fine wether working about
30 Sa dull wether working about
October
1 Su fine wether took a walk to town.
2 Mu fine wether working about
3 Tu fine wether took the rams from the ewes
4 We fine wether racking oats
5 Th fine wether carting oats
6 Fr fine wether working about
7 Sa fine wether marking and sorting shep
8 Su fine wether went to the new station with the lambs
9 Mu fine wether working about ??
10 Tu fine wether the steembot came for the troops[24]
11 We fine wether the steembot took away the troops
12 Th fine wether out with Mr Fraser
13 Fri fine wether out with Mr Fraser
14 Sa fine wether helping Cap Smith[25] to brand some catle
15 Su fine wether went to lopes island[26]
16 Mu working about the house
17 Tu Dito
18 We Dito
19 Th Dito
20 Fr Dito
21 Sa Dito
22 Su went to the country with Irvine[27]
23 Mu went to victoria
24 Tu in Victoria
25 We in Victoria
26 Th in Victoria
27 Fr left Victoria
28 Sa took up my things from ??
29 Su sorting my rams and [went?] in to the cuntry after after the p[?]
30 Mu blowing went out with my ra[ms?]
31 Tu fine wether went to the cuntry ??
November
1 We fine wether start for the c??
2 Th fine wether diging potatoes
3 Fr fine wether diging potatoes
4 Sa fine wether diging potatoes
5 Su fine wether house keeping
6 Mu
fine wether drisling rain helping Mr Bowker to sort his sheep
7 Tu fine wether halling wood
8 We fine wether halling wood
9 Th fine wether repairing fainsing
10 Fr fine wether repairing fainsing
11 Sa fine wether repairing fainsing
12 Su fine wether every thing quiet
13 Mu raining very hard went out with Bean Valpy[28] to ball hull[29]
14 Tu fine wether helping the Canacs[?]
15 We cold wind digin potatoes
16 Th rainaing all day
17 Fr fine wether digin potatoes
18 Sa a havy fall of snow catching pigs for Mr Mercer
19 Su blowing very hard with rain
20 Mu blowing very hard al day hunting after a bull
21 Tu blowing hard with rain
22 We fair wether working in the potatoes
23 Th working in the potatoes
24 Fr working in the potatoes
25 Sa fine wether working in the potatoes Peter helping
26 Su raining went to ball hill after oxen
27 Mu high winds with torants of rain
28 Tu high winds with torants of rain
29 We fine wether working in the potatoes
30 Th raining all day
31 Fr
raining working at rot house
December
1 Fr raining working at the root house
2 Sa hard frost
3 Su hard frost
4 Mu hard frost
5 Tu hard frost halling wod for B Velpy
6 We drisling rain working at the rothonsens[?][30]
7 Th high cold wind hunting for Indians
8 Fr cold wind diging potatoes
9 Sa cold wind diging potatoes
10 Su cold wind and snow went to the new station with a month provishons
11 Mo very cold with black frost
12 Tu very cold black frost
[numbering is off at this point]
12 We cold frost
13 Th very cold hunting for a mair
14 Fr a havy fall of snow al day
15 Sa cold frost and snow
16 Su cold frost went to the new station
17 Mu came home still cold frost
18 Tu snowing all day
[correct numbering resumes]
20 We still cold
21 Th a havy fall of snow all day the the sheep shade broke down
22 Fr a litle milder went to the sheep station
23 Sa blowing and raining very hard came home from the scheep station
24 Su blowing hard and very cold at the sheep station
25 Mu Christmas day blowing very hard
26 Tu fresing went to the chandler prary after the pebly mair
27 We cold frost working about the house
28 Th cold went to the country after a stear
29 Fr brought home my stear from wedys[31]
30 Sa cold wether working about the house
31 Su every thing quiet
January the 1st 1866
1 Mu very frosty wether New years day
2 Tu at home all day
3 We still frosty went to the sheep station
4 Th brought my rams home from the station
5 Fr fine wether working at the shade
6 Sa fine wether working at the shade
7 Su fine wether curing my sheep
8 Mu fine wether dito
9 Tu fine dito
10 We fine halling from the shade
11 Th fine halling from the shade
12 Fr fine wether halling from the shade
13 Sa dito
14 Su blowing and very cold
15 Mu Snowing and blowing
16 Tu fresing and snowing very hard
17 We cold frost at home all day
18 Th still cold went to the sheep station
19 Fr a litle milder came home from the station
20 Sa rainin all day
21 Su warm rain went to the new station
22 Mu thick fock all day came home from the station
23 Tu cold wind and rain went to town and got some salmon and flower
24 We cold wind with havy showers clening out the barn
25 Th fine wether halling from the shade
26 Fr cold wind and rain thrashing peas
27 Sa ditto
28 Su cold wind with some snow
29 Mu fine wether repairing fainsing
30 Tu light frost diging potatoes
31 We still frosty digin potatoes
February
1 Th cold black frosty wind thrashing peas
2 Fr cold and frosty thrashing peas
3 Sa cold wind went to town with my oxen to hall a boat
4 Su snowing all day
5 Mu cold dry wind filling potatoes out of the pit
6 Tu
fine wether shiping potatoes and sheep and for victoria
7 We blowing and raining very hard all day
8 Th blowing hard halling my small potatoes into the root house
9 Fr a litle milder went to the sheep station
10 Sa snow again working about the house
11 Su fine with some snow went to Mr hang[?][32]
12 Mu fine came home went to ball hill after the pebly mair
13 Tu hard frost working about the house
14 We fine wether with frost helping to ship catle for Mrs Hobs agreed Tlx[?] Mcdang[?]
15 Th frosty halling fire wood
16 Fr frosty comensed thrashing
17 Sa frosty tharishing in the farm and after noon went to town after a bbl of salt beef
18 Su fine wether went to Mr Blacks[33] after a cow
19 Mu fine thrashing and diging potatoes
20 Tu fine thrashing and diging potatoes
21 We fine repairing fainsing
22 Th fine ploughing went to a party a night
23 Fr fine very litle work done
24 Sa fine ploughing in the garding
25 Su cold and damp every thing quiet
26 Mu fine wether went to the sheep station to docter the sheep
27 Tu cold wind washing the sheep
28 We fine wether gathering and counting the sheep 23 short
March
1 Th fine wether working about the house
2 Fr fine wether went out to hanas with Bowker finished plowing in the litle field
3 Sa fine thrashing at hobes plowed mouses[?] garden
4 Su drisling rain went to hobes to look at some pigs
5 Mu damp and fogy plowing below the government garden[34]
6 Tu fine at plow
7 We fine at plow in the fore noon killed a beef in the after noon
8 Th fine at plow
9 Fr drisling rain all day
10 Sa still raining
11 Su went after my bull
12 Mu fine attack[?] at the sheep station at plow in the after noon
13 Tu fine at plow all day
14 We fine at plow alack[Alex?] at John W thrashing
15 Th ditto
16 Fr fine finished plow in the loer field
17 Sa fine went to tarols[?][35] after potatoes
18 Su rather cold huting after a bull
19 Mu cold wind helping Cy Smith to get up some cattle
20 Tu plowing for Mr Bowker
21 We blowing hard plowing for bowker
22 Th raining and blowin all day
23 Fr plowing for bowker
24 Sa fine wether went to hubes after pigs
25 Su fine went to peter losans
26 Mu fine shiping potatoes
27 Tu fine shiping potatoes
28 We blowing hard plowing for hannas[?]
29 Th cold halling fire wood
30 Fr rather cold planting potatoes in the garden
31 Sa fine halling logs in the fore noon drilling up the litle field in the afternoon
April
1 Su fine Mr and Mrs hana came to visit us
2 Mu fine planting potatoes and plowing for hegings[36]
3 Tu fine plowing for hegings
4 We fine finished hegings plowing
5 Th wet wether cuting potatoes
6 Fr mild sowin oats
7 Sa dry went to hubbs point
8 Su cold went to mount dales[37]
9 Mu cold rain clening oats for Mrs Hubbs
10 Tu cold halling logs
11 We cold halling logs
12 Th fine cuting lambs for Barker
13 Fr fine finished sowing the lower field
14 Sa cold wind fixing one of the houses
15 Su fine went to the sheep with a month rations
16 Mu high wind put the fence up roun the lower field
17 Tu fine sowed the uper field
18 We fine driling for potatoes
19 Th fine planted the uper patch of potatoes
20 Fr fine planting potatoes in the lower end
21 Sa rather damp finished planting potatoes
22 S fine every thing quiet
23 Mu fine went out after last of beans potatoes and killed fox
24 Tu raining picking potatoes
25 We fine working about the house
26 Th fine sowing some peas
27 Fr fine plowing in some peas
28 Sa fine ditto
29 Su fine killed litle Dick
30 Mu fine unwell
May
1 Tu fine went to hobes point with the cart
2 We fine went to Capten Valpy to plow
3 Th fine Dito
4 Fr fine Dito baby sow
5 Sa fine finished at valpyes
6 Su fine went to the shep station
7 Mu fine planting potatoes and harowing peas
8 Tu fine comensed roling
9 We fine shearing my rams
10 Th fine shearing sheep
11 Fr fine finished
12 Sa fine working about
13 Su fine every thing quiet
14 Mu fine went to the shep station
15 Tu fine work about
16 We fine went to the island[38] with the rams
17 Th fine plowing for Mr Mercer
18 Fr fine finished Mr Mercer field
19 Sa a litle rain start for the sheep station
20 Su fine cut my lambs
21 Mu fine plowing at the sheep station
22 Tu Dito
23 We Dito
24 Th fine finished and came home
25 Fr fine howing potatoes
26 Sa raining all day picking potatoes
27 Su fine out and cut my bull
28 Mu fine cleaning potatoes
29 Tu fine cleaning potatoes
30 We fine finished howing the litle field
31 Th fine washing sheep
June
1 Fr fine howing potatoes
2 Sa fine howing potatoes
3 Su fine every thing quiet
4 Mu fine shearing sheep
5 Tu fine Dito
6 We fine Dito
7 Th fine finished sheep sharing
8 Fr fine boiling tobaco
9 Sa fine went to the island to see the rams
10 Su fine very quiet
11 Mu fine went out after the pebly mair
12 Tu rather cold diping sheep in tobaco
13 We fine Dito finished
14 Th fine working about the house
15 Fr raining went out with the sheep and shipped some shee[p?] in the evening
16 Sa fine went to victoria
17 Su fine out at Irvines
18 Mu high wind sold my sheep
19 Tu came home from Victoria
20 We fine working about the house
21 Th fine howing potatoes
22 Fr fine howing potatoes and sowing turnips for Mr Mercer
23 Sa high wind howing potatoes
24 Su fine out at Cap Smiths at the meeting
25 Mu fine cleaning turnips at the new station
26 Tu fine Dito
27 We fine fixing the rase track[39]
28 Th fine making binches for the scool[40]
29 Fr fine plowing potatoes
30 Sa fine plowing potatoes
July
1 Su fine every thing quiet
2 Mu fine down town all day
3 Tu fine cleaning up round the house
4 We fine along with the excusion party[41]
5 Th fine at home all day
6 Fr fine working about the house
7 Sa fine howing potatoes at the new station
8 Su fine every thing quiet
9 Mu fine out after the valpy cow
10 Tu fine cuting three hands
11 We fine cuting tow[two?] hands
12 Th fine Dito
13 Fr fine Dito
14 Sa fine halling hay 6 load
15 Su fine killed a steer for Mrs Hubs
16 Mu fine halling hay 7 loads
17 Tu fine Dito 3 load
18 We fine after Mrs Hobs cow
19 Th fine cuting hay
20 Fri fine cuting hay and a pees[?] of oats
21 Sa fine broke my cart halling wood for Mr Mercer[?]
22 Su fine at home all day every thing quiet
23 Mu fine halled 4 lodes hay
24 Tu fine cuting oats for hay
We fine halling wood for Mr
Mercer
25 We dull hunting after the valpy cow
26 Th fine halling wood for Mr Mercer
27 Fr fine Dito halling wood for Mr M
28 Sa fine working amongst the oat hay
29 Su fine went out to Capten thurstons[42] with the ox cart
30 Mu fine
halling oat hay very fogy went to the sheep station
31 Tu
fine Dito halling oat hay
August
1 We fine Dito
2 Th fine halling wood for Mr Mercer
[1] Peter Lawson, a neighbor along the coast to the northwest, established a farm in 1859.
[2] The full name of Dick, who appears to be FirthÕs farm hand, is not known.
[3] There were several fields established by the HudsonÕs Bay Company at Bellevue Farm: a little (approximately six acre) field to the west and downhill of the ÒEstablishmentÓ; a large field of some 40-60 acres across the ravine; an upper field to the east of the compound and a lower field below that. In general, the former two were planted in oats and carrots, while the latter two were planted in potatoes and turnips.
[4] The sheep station was probably the one at Friday Harbor.
[5] The ÒNew StationÓ was originally established by the Company in late September, 1854. Its precise whereabouts are unknown, although it was probably near Park Hill, just south of Friday Harbor.
[6] ChandlerÕs Prairie was the open grassy north of Friday Harbor near the University of Washington Labs; also identified as ÒSheep HillÓ on later maps.
[7] Paul K. Hubbs, Jr. (also herein spelled Hobs, Hubs, and Hobes, both capitalized and not) first came to San Juan Island as the US customs inspector in 1857; later, he established a farm on the southern tip of San Juan Island. Apparently Hubbs had at least three wives, several of whom were Native American. It is not clear which one the Mrs. Hubbs referred to is.
[8] Mcy?
[9] This probably refers to Kanakas, who were Hawaiians brought by the Company to the Northwest as laborers, particularly shepherds. After the Company abandoned operations on the island, many left, but those that stayed settled near Kanaka Bay on the west side.
[10] Captain Wolf?
[11] Fletts?
[12] There is a ÒLittle ManÓ referred to in GriffinÕs Journals; perhaps this is the same person.
[13] San Juan Town, a collection of stores, bars, and brothels that grew up near the CompanyÕs former wharf on Griffin Bay.
[14] Barker?
[15] ÒHubbÕs PointÓ was probably the current Cattle Point, near where the Hubbs had their farm.
[16] Lime Kiln, about midway on the west coast of the island, was the site of limestone mining and processing operations that was established by American soldiers and settlers in 1860.
[17] George Mercer was listed as a 41-year-old merchant in the 1866 ÒList of ResidentsÓ.
[18] ÒJohn WÓ could be John Witty, who farmed to the west of Firth during this period.
[19] John S. Bowker was a merchant and saloonkeeper at San Juan Town. Bowker, who began to have run-ins with the commanding officers at American Camp in 1860, went out of business in November 1865.
[20] Thomas (1819-1908) and Mary Jane (1822-1902) Fleming came to the San Juan Island in 1863 and homesteaded in San Juan Valley.
[21] ÒSpringÓ appears to be a person (see September 1st entry below).
[22] This could be Thomas Thornton, who appears in the 1870 census as a 42-year-old seaman.
[23] Robert H. Frazer, a shipÕs carpenter, arrived on San Juan Island in 1859. He married Mary Jane, daughter of Thomas Fleming, and eventually farmed at the old Cutlar place to the northwest of American Camp.
[24] US troops departed ??
[25] Captain William Smith was one of the first dozen American settlers on San Juan Island.
[26] Lopez Island.
[27] Irvine?
[28] John Valpey appears on a list of residents in 1866 submitted to the commanding officer at American Camp.
[29] Bald Hill, located on the north end of Griffin Bay, is the site of a modern gravel mining operation that has reduced the hill to a pit.
[30] Rothonsens?
[31] Wedys?
[32] Hannah? James and Minerva Hannah moved to the island in 1864 and homesteaded in San Juan Valley. Their daughter Lila (1865-1954) married FirthÕs son, Robert Jr.
[33] Black?
[34] The ÒGovernment gardenÓ, which was farmed by US troops at American camp, was located just to the north of FirthÕs place.
[35] This could be Benjamin Tirrel, a 54-year-old farmer listed in the 1870 census.
[36] J. D. Higgins was postmaster at San Juan Town and farmed near there. In 1867 was evicted from the island by the US military commander Captain Gray.
[37] Mount Dallas is a high prominence on the west side of San Juan Island. The Company had a sheep station called ÒMountain StationÓ during the 1850s.
[38] Although the island to which Firth took his sheep is not identified, it could have been Dinner Island, which the Township and Range surveyors said was being used for rams in 1874.
[39] The racetrack was located on Home Prairie, the large expanse of open land to the south and west of American Camp and FirthÕs place.
[40] School House Number 1 was built at Portland Fair this year by volunteer labor.
[41] A Fourth of July excursion party ca. 1875 is described in the reminiscences of Lila Hannah Firth.
[42] Captain Thurston?